KnitFlamingo

I totally understand the anxiety and impatience, but blaming the staff for not working overtime isn't fair. For all we know, they already are. We should all know, understand, and respect the importance of having boundaries between home and work-- not to mention the ways that staff in academic settings are already often overworked and underpaid. They're people going through a pandemic, too.

Part of this has to do with your personal values and approach to counselling. For example, just because a school is more clinically focused, it doesn't mean it will mesh with a holistic/integrative counselling hopeful's ideas about what effective counselling looks like or the values that a counsellor should bring to their practice. By the same token, an anti-oppressive and social justice-oriented program may not offer you the same kind of exposure to the DSM5, if that's what you're craving. In either case, you'll end up feeling ill-prepared upon graduation. As others have said, there's lots of specific counselling training and development available outside of the MSW to flesh out your "practical skills". In fact, you'll want to pursue at least some of these extra training opportunities to become certified in specific therapies like CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, etc. There's enough burnout in this line of work as it is, so it's important for you to understand who you want to be as a counsellor so that you can pick a program that aligns with the values and practices you want to bring to your work overall.

Gosh, such a difficult place of uncertainty to be sitting. I remember how heartbreaking my rejection email was last year and I can't imagine this is feeling any better for you. I hope you can take some extra time for self-care while you process the news. Fingers crossed that you're near the top of the list and that a spot will open up for you soon.

The good news is that the weather is getting nice so it's easier to go outside. COVID cabin fever is definitely not helping the waiting game anxiety. I know "time in nature" sounds trite no matter how true it is, but really... your brain really likes fresh air!! ?

Totally understand this sentiment, and they might do that if it runs past their posted timelines. Unfortunately, crafting and okay'ing a public message about this also takes time, so it's not in their best interests from an administrative perspective to do that while they're still within the initial window.

Whether its this week or next, it might be helpful to remember that the frequent changes in COVID protocol means that this year is not necessarily going to follow the usual expectations. I've worked admin jobs before & currently work in a support role at Conestoga College, and I assure you, they want this admissions season wrapped up just as much as we do. I'm sure they're doing the best they can with the resources and limitations they've got. It might be better for your stress levels to work with the thought that you'll be hearing later rather than sooner. It'll help you divert your attention to other things (which will also help the time go faster). And, if you get an email this week or early next week, it will be a pleasant surprise.

Absolutely. My backups aren't MSW programs, but I know that at least one of them is a competitive program on its own and it sucks to hold onto a space I may or may not end up taking. I hope more decisions start rolling in soon so that everyone can remove some question marks from their plates.

The problem is that admissions handles more than just the MSW program and they only have so many people on staff. If they gave out up-to-date information to everyone who inquires, they would spend all day answering thousands of emails and it would push back their productivity even more. Telling people the same generic boilerplate stuff saves them a ton of time even if its frustrating for the people who want to know.

Boy, I sure hope it doesn't go into May... I have a couple offers of admission from backups that are due May 1 and I would really hate to accept one and then get into Laurier a few days later, lol. They did require that we submit our applications for the 2 year substantially earlier, so I wonder if that will impact the difference between when 1-year and 2-year decisions go out. Normally the advanced standing program must apply by Dec 1 and the regular track by Jan 15; this time both were due Dec 1. I would still strongly encourage to anticipate later-April decisions, but hopefully the change in application deadline means that the two tracks won't be spaced as far apart as usual.

Yeah, Laurier admissions never offers any information that can't be found on the website. Last year I got my rejection on the 10th, so I would work under the assumption that we probably won't hear anything until at least next week. It's probably safest to even assume that admissions decisions will go out towards the end of the month.

Yes, mine was for the 2 year fall program. It's disappointing, but these things happen and I'll re-apply in the fall.

Can confirm: Rejection email from Laurier received this afternoon.

Yeah, I know. I'm about to send everyone a "stop emailing me!" order until decisions are out, haha. Every time a Gmail notification pops up on my phone I get so hopeful and then it's just a dentist note or something. I'm guessing they know they're behind the curve and the best thing we can do is not add more to their workflow by emailing at this point.

Did she say the exact timeline was still in place or just that they were still on target for April? Just wondering because they could get things out next week and it would still be "on target" per the April indication on admissions page ?‍♀️ Either way it's frustrating though. I can't imagine what it would be like to be waiting on them if I had to make a final decision between schools soon.

I think Laurier had a pretty significant admissions delay with the COVID disruption in March. Someone said they only got their advanced standing decision a week ago. Hopefully that means our decisions will be rolled out soon, but it does seem nobody has heard and nobody knows quite when things will happen.

Just a lurker here, but I just want to say to everyone waiting for the two-year Laurier program: Nobody seems to have heard yet. It's okay! I'm super impatient too, but I'm sure that once someone hears they will post it. The office is probably just running behind the usual schedule because of COVID administrative disruption. Hopefully we'll hear soon. Best of luck to everyone! Remember: B r e a t h e ?